I don't think we will bring him back. We didn't re-sign Ebanks for nothing makes no sense to re-sign him, then re-sign Barnes so what, Ebanks can sit on the bench and rot

Lakers have roster space and do need a 3rd string SF. Hell, Kobe and 'Tawn aren't gonna play SF. Devin wants to prove he can contribute then battle it out with Matt. Having Matt motivate Devin to play better. Would be the same thing Phil did with Jordan Farmar when they acquired Shannon.

I have little to no faith in Ebanks playing major minutes at the backup 3.

The Lakers have to win now, they don't have time to keep giving chances to kids who don't contribute much.

They havent even given him a chance yet! He needs to be playing alongside Kobe to maximize his attributes. Especially now with NAsh & Howard cuz he can run the floor and give them effort plays that change tempo from Slow awkward MWP. He will come in handy vs the athletic wings in gm that are too quick for MWP

With very few serviceable SFs left on the market, I wouldn't be against bringing him back for cheap. Would have preferred the front office picking up someone else for the back-up SF position this summer, but I can't complain about this offseason.

They havent even given him a chance yet! He needs to be playing alongside Kobe to maximize his attributes. Especially now with NAsh & Howard cuz he can run the floor and give them effort plays that change tempo from Slow awkward MWP. He will come in handy vs the athletic wings in gm that are too quick for MWP

Matt Barnes isn't a good one-on-one defender. He's good at playing the passing lanes and with help defense, but his one-on-one defense is overrated. He's more prone to fouling his man than he is actually stopping them on the defensive end. He's pesky, but he won't be locking anyone down. I can't remember the last time he actually did that despite being brought to the Lakers specifically for his defense.

Great hustle guy, but he leaves a lot to be desired in his actual play on both ends of the floor.

Wouldn't mind Barnes for cheap, as many have already said. He brings toughness and hustle, and I'd prefer him over Ebanks. Plus him and Ebanks can motivate each other to be better by competing for the backup SF spot. But if we don't get him, I won't really break a sweat over it.